SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) 鈥� The United Nations and human rights activists are warning about an increase in pregnant women from the Dominican Republic to Haiti, where they say their lives are being put at risk.
Less than 40% of health centers in Haiti鈥檚 capital, Port-au-Prince, remain open as .
Meanwhile, the University Hospital of Mirebalais, which has around 300 beds and is located in Haiti鈥檚 central region, has suspended operations, according to a statement Thursday from the U.N.
The U.N. said two other hospitals in that area 鈥渇ace critical shortages, including oxygen and emergency medical kits.鈥�
The two hospitals have treated more than 200 patients for gunshot wounds, strokes, malnutrition and suspected cholera since the Mirebalais hospital closed, according to the U.N.
U.N. spokesperson St茅phane Dujarric said that many of those deported 鈥渁rrive in precarious and highly vulnerable conditions, often without any resources.鈥�
The International Organization for Migration said that it has seen an increase in women deported from the Dominican Republic in recent weeks, along with children and newborns.
It warned they鈥檙e being deported to a country 鈥渨here access to basic services remains severely limited.鈥�
The increase in those deportations comes as the administration of Dominican President Luis Abinader implemented a new measure this week requiring hospital staff to ask patients for their identification, work permits and proof of residence.
The measure is one of announced earlier this month to crack down on migrants living in the Dominican Republic without legal permission, as people in neighboring Haiti flee a surge in gang violence.
On Tuesday, the Dominican Republic鈥檚 migration agency arrested 48 pregnant women and 39 others who just gave birth, along with 48 minors. On Wednesday, agents arrested 78 other migrants at hospitals, although the agency didn't provide additional details.
Amnesty International on Thursday called on Abinader鈥檚 administration to repeal the measure, saying it 鈥渕ust take concrete action against racial discrimination.鈥�
Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the Caribbean island of Hispaniola.
Abinader visited the shared border on Thursday, telling soldiers that it was 鈥渃ompletely unacceptable鈥� to let through any migrants trying to enter the Dominican Republic illegally.
He also dismissed criticism by Amnesty International and called on the rights group to work in Haiti and address its crises.
鈥淢y responsibility it to defend the Dominican Republic,鈥� he said.
Overall, the Dominican Republic has expelled more than 180,000 people since October, when it announced .
Haiti鈥檚 transitional presidential council on Thursday condemned what it said was the violation of human rights of Haitians in the Dominican Republic and called on the government to prioritize bilateral dialogue.
The Associated Press
